Welcome to this week's episode of Social Chatter, the longest running social media marketing talk show where we cover the latest social media news from this past week.
As a reminder, each episode of Social Chatter is available as a blog post or video.
For those of you who missed last week's show with Phil Gerbyshak and Lisa Monks, you can find it here.
We're also joined by this week's special guest, Nicole Virant.
Let's see what's new in social media this week with your hosts, Christian Karasiewicz and Phil Gerbyshak.
Watch This Week's Social Media Updates
Instagram Algorithm Changes
In Instagram news, they are making changes to improve your Instagram feed.
Why Instagram Algorithm Changes Matter For Your Business
A number of Instagram users have complained about changes to their Instagram feed.
According to Instagram, "it can feel unexpected when your feed refreshes and automatically bumps you to the top."
As a result, they're adding a "new posts" button.
This new button will let you choose when you want to refresh your Instagram feed instead of having it happen automatically.
Simply put, if you want to see new posts at the top of your feed, don't tap the button.
If you want your Instagram algorithm to use the new feed and automatically refresh, turn it on.
As a business, you'll want to be sure you take advantage of this feature for both types of followers.
For example, for people who want the newest in their Instagram feed, update your channel on a regular basis.
If someone doesn't check Instagram very often, but they follow you, make sure you have compelling Instagram post content.
This way you can cater to both types of users.
To read the announcement about Instagram algorithm updates here.
Updated Facebook Privacy Settings For Your Data
In Facebook news, they are overhauling the privacy settings menu and making it easier for you to secure your Facebook account, control the Facebook Ads you see, manage you sees your posts and more.
Why Facebook Privacy Setting Changes Matter For Your Business
In the wake of Cambridge Analytica, Facebook is overhauling the entire settings menu on your mobile device.
You'll now be able to access all of the tools you need to control your data better thanks to a new menu.
Here is a before and after comparison.
In addition to making your account settings easier to use, Facebook is also making it easier for you to access your privacy settings through new privacy shortcuts.
In just a few taps, you will be able to control your data - they're also including better explanations about what each control does.
Here's a list of Facebook privacy shortcuts that you can control.
- Make your account more secure
- Control your personal information - what was shared or deleted
- Control Facebook Ads you see
- Manage who can see your posts and profile information
One last update in terms of your data is that Facebook is making it easier for you to download and delete your Facebook data.
Within "Access Your Information," you can see posts, reactions, comments, items you've searched for, and if you choose, download a secure copy of your data that includes photo uploads, contacts, posts and more.
You'll also be able to see what information Facebook has on you.
As a Facebook user, you need to be sure you're aware of any posts, photos, etc that you upload that could harm your business. Now you'll be able to view and delete this information - when you need to.
To learn more about controlling your Facebook privacy settings and data in 2018, here.
Your Call and SMS History Data On Facebook
A report surfaced that Facebook had access to your call and SMS data history without your permission.
Why Your Call and SMS History Data On Facebook Matters For Your Business
Facebook has come out to say that "this is not the case" when it comes to your call and SMS history.
We would agree and here's why.
When you sign-up for Facebook Lite or Messenger, you have to opt-in to share this information. This isn't any different than signing up for an email marketing campaign that someone asks you to join.
In terms of your data, Facebook says they don't sell this - we believe them. At the same time, as a user or a business, the more information you provide, the better they can improve the recommendations, so just be careful about what information you provide and remember, everyone wins if they share the right information.
You can read more protecting your call and SMS history on Facebook here.
Facebook Disables Audience Reach Measurement In Facebook Ads
Also this week, Facebook disabled the audience reach measurement and removed the relationship ad filter in Facebook Ads.
Why Changes to Facebook Ad Filters Matter For Your Business
Facebook has quietly removed ad filters for Facebook Ads for creating campaigns that target users based on their relationship preferences. You could use this feature to target someone based on who they were "interested in."
As a business, this was a particularly useful feature if you were in retail or a service-based business who wanted to target someone during a major holiday, such as Valentine's Day.
For now, you'll have to come up with other creative ad targeting options to help you reach the right audience.
You can read more about this change to this very useful Facebook Ad filter here.
It's Now Faster and Easier to Start YouTube Live
In YouTube news, they are making it easier for you to go live.
Why An Easier Way to Use YouTube Live Matters For Your Business
YouTube wants to make it easier for you to go live and to interact with your community.
For those of you who have ever tried to set up a live stream from your computer, you need a fancy encoder.
Fortunately, YouTube is fixing this and you won't need to do this.
Instead, you can simply go to http://www.youtube.com/webcam or click "Go live" in the YouTube menu bar and you'll be able to start your YouTube Live video.
Here is how you can quickly start a YouTube Live video.
In addition to making it easier to go live on YouTube, they're also updating the mobile app so you can "start a live stream directly from the camera app in select devices."
As a business, you don't need to be afraid of going live for your customers to see you. Instead, you should begin to embrace it.
This is the first step of many, that YouTube is taking to drive channel owners to share more live video with their subscribers.
To read more about an easier way to use YouTube Live, here.
Tools
In addition to sharing the latest news from this past week, we also highlighted some great social media tools and apps for you to check out.
Brand24
The first tool that we have discovered this week is called Brand24 (web).
Brand24 is a social media monitoring tool. You can use Brand24, to find out who is talking about your business online.
With Brand24, you can quickly identify influencers to connect with, reach customers faster, and identify sales opportunities within your organization.
You can try Brand24 free for 14 days. After that, prices start at $49 per month.
Monitor your brand mentionsTawk To
The second tool that we have for you this week is called Talk To (web).
Here is a video showing you how Tawk To works.
Tawk To is a free messaging app that your business can use to monitor and chat with people who visit your website or even your mobile app.
You can have it up and running on your website in less than a minute. From there, you can start chatting with the people who visit your site. They also include the ability to review chat history and more with the included analytics.
Tawk To integrates with WordPress, Joomla and more to help your business build relationships with customers by helping solve problems.
Tawk To is available for free. You can try it out from the link below.
Try Tawk ToWrap-up
That's it for this week's show!
To watch next week's episode of Social Chatter, your weekly social media marketing talk show, tune-in here to find out what's new in social media!
If you have any questions about of the social media news or tools that were mentioned this week, please share them with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or in the comments below.
